It's only just begun: Heavy snowfall has yet to come

Published: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 1:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 1:52 p.m.

The heaviest snowfall is yet to come for Henderson County, according to the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service.

“We've still got snow coming at us from Georgia. There may be some brief caps this afternoon, but there will still be plenty of snow,” said NWS meteorologist John Tomko. “The storm totals we're looking at are about 9.5 inches in Hendersonville, and just under 9 inches at the airport.”

The National Weather Service predicts the next round of snowfall will make its way to Henderson County later this afternoon and into Wednesday evening.

According to forecasts, Wednesday's total daytime snow accumulation could range from between 4 and 6 inches in Hendersonville, with an additional 3 to 5 inches possible Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the region until 6 p.m. Thursday.

Looking at these forecasts, officials from Henderson County Manager Steve Wyatt to Gov. Pat McCrory have taken action.

Yesterday, McCrory declared a state of emergency, which enabled him to mobilize necessary resources to respond to a storm.

Today, city and county government offices closed at noon so that non-emergency employees could get home safely.

On Wednesday morning, a statement from Henderson County officials appeared on the county's homepage to alert residents to use extreme caution as the storm made its way to Henderson County.

"At a time like this, our public safety and emergency response capacity is stretched. We need the cooperation of everyone to 'weather this storm,'" County Manger Steve Wyatt said in a statement.

Wyatt also urged citizens to eliminate any unnecessary travel on Henderson County streets, roads, and highways. He said this will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and local municipalities to more effectively deal with accumulating snowfall.

Judging by the number of accidents emergency personnel have responded to Wednesday, Henderson County Emergency Services Director Rocky Hyder said he thinks residents are heading the warnings.

“It's been wonderful. Obviously people have paid attention to the news and stayed home, or at least those that could. We've had a low number of calls for a snow day,” he said.

At 1 p.m., Hyder said 10 automobile accidents had been reported in Henderson County since midnight.

“Normally, we can have that many (accidents) in an hour when snow comes and people are out and have to get home,” Hyder said.

Though the Red Cross opened a shelter at 9 a.m. in Polk County, Hyder said he has received no phone calls from folks in need of shelter in Henderson County at this time. However, he said that does not diminish his department's response to the snowstorm.

“We're still in the same preparedness mode when we thought we were going to get a real heavy snowfall (this morning). That's the real nice thing about preparing early and being prepared for the worst early on: If you prepare and nothing major happens, it's still OK,” he said.

Attempts to reach local North Carolina Department of Transportation engineers for comment Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful. However, on Tuesday, Henderson County Department of Transportation Maintenance Engineer Jason Willis said his crews would be working around the clock in 12-hour shifts to keep roads clear.

<p>The heaviest snowfall is yet to come for Henderson County, according to the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service. </p><p>“We've still got snow coming at us from Georgia. There may be some brief caps this afternoon, but there will still be plenty of snow,” said NWS meteorologist John Tomko. “The storm totals we're looking at are about 9.5 inches in Hendersonville, and just under 9 inches at the airport.”</p><p>The National Weather Service predicts the next round of snowfall will make its way to Henderson County later this afternoon and into Wednesday evening. </p><p>According to forecasts, Wednesday's total daytime snow accumulation could range from between 4 and 6 inches in Hendersonville, with an additional 3 to 5 inches possible Wednesday night.</p><p>The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the region until 6 p.m. Thursday.</p><p>Looking at these forecasts, officials from Henderson County Manager Steve Wyatt to Gov. Pat McCrory have taken action. </p><p>Yesterday, McCrory declared a state of emergency, which enabled him to mobilize necessary resources to respond to a storm.</p><p>Today, city and county government offices closed at noon so that non-emergency employees could get home safely. </p><p>On Wednesday morning, a statement from Henderson County officials appeared on the county's homepage to alert residents to use extreme caution as the storm made its way to Henderson County.</p><p>"At a time like this, our public safety and emergency response capacity is stretched. We need the cooperation of everyone to 'weather this storm,'" County Manger Steve Wyatt said in a statement.</p><p>Wyatt also urged citizens to eliminate any unnecessary travel on Henderson County streets, roads, and highways. He said this will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and local municipalities to more effectively deal with accumulating snowfall.</p><p>Judging by the number of accidents emergency personnel have responded to Wednesday, Henderson County Emergency Services Director Rocky Hyder said he thinks residents are heading the warnings.</p><p>“It's been wonderful. Obviously people have paid attention to the news and stayed home, or at least those that could. We've had a low number of calls for a snow day,” he said. </p><p>At 1 p.m., Hyder said 10 automobile accidents had been reported in Henderson County since midnight. </p><p> “Normally, we can have that many (accidents) in an hour when snow comes and people are out and have to get home,” Hyder said. </p><p>Though the Red Cross opened a shelter at 9 a.m. in Polk County, Hyder said he has received no phone calls from folks in need of shelter in Henderson County at this time. However, he said that does not diminish his department's response to the snowstorm.</p><p>“We're still in the same preparedness mode when we thought we were going to get a real heavy snowfall (this morning). That's the real nice thing about preparing early and being prepared for the worst early on: If you prepare and nothing major happens, it's still OK,” he said.</p><p>Attempts to reach local North Carolina Department of Transportation engineers for comment Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful. However, on Tuesday, Henderson County Department of Transportation Maintenance Engineer Jason Willis said his crews would be working around the clock in 12-hour shifts to keep roads clear. </p><p>____</p><p>Reach Byrd at caitlin.byrd@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7881.</p>